Malkin received a massive chess set for his birthday last year and you’ll often find him huddled over the board across from Ivanov in their basement, where a signed Troy Polamalu jersey hangs on the wall.

thanks for sharing. I knew he like Troy Polamalu; his admiration real. I didn't know about him playing Chess. Evgeni ; feels intense and deeply. Still waters... run deep.

We’ve looked at some phenomenal players so far, ranging from great goal scorers (Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos), to great playmakers (Sidney Crosby, Pavel Datsyuk), to players of great size and strength (Jaromir Jagr, Jarome Iginla). The last player on our list combines all three of those attributes.

We’ve looked at some phenomenal players so far, ranging from great goal scorers (Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos), to great playmakers (Sidney Crosby, Pavel Datsyuk), to players of great size and strength (Jaromir Jagr, Jarome Iginla). The last player on our list combines all three of those attributes.